Report: BYU working to finalize deal to promote Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator

BYU didn’t have to look far to find its new defensive coordinator.

The Cougars are working to finalize a deal to have Kelly Poppinga lead the BYU defense, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Sources: BYU is working to finalize a deal to promote Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator and play caller. He’s being promoted from special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach. He’s coached two stints at BYU – 2009-15 and 2022 through present. pic.twitter.com/fgzaNxgq4b

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 7, 2026

Poppinga would replace Jay Hill, who left Provo to become Michigan’s defensive coordinator under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.

A former Cougars linebacker, Poppinga has spent two stints and 10 total seasons on BYU’s coaching staff, first from 2009-2015 under Bronco Mendenhall and then the past three campaigns with Kalani Sitake’s operation.

Upon Mendenhall’s hiring at the University of Virginia in 2016, Poppinga followed him east to be part of his Cavaliers staff for six seasons, notably spending 2018-21 as Virginia’s co-defensive coordinator alongside Nick Howell.

Poppinga had served as BYU’s special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach since 2023, having held the same positions in 2022 at Boise State as well.

In his time with the Cougars, Poppinga has coached NFL talent such as Kyle Van Noy, Fred Warner, Sione Takitaki, Tyler Batty and others.

With Poppinga’s pending promotion and Aaron Roderick remaining as BYU’s offensive coordinator, Sitake would still need to fill the Cougars’ vacant special teams coordinator position as well as a few defensive assistant roles.